Why I stopped watching TV and ....

[sc_rufctr]

I asked myself. Why do I spend more time online now than I ever did watching TV?

I simply can't stand commercial TV anymore... When I do watch TV it's usually the news and that's about it. Maybe 45 minutes tops per day.
However I do watch movies and commercial free stuff on Blue-ray or something downloaded from the webs.

Right now I'm watching "Louie" and "Game Of Thrones". Neither of these are exactly mainstream but they are commercial free and they stimulate me in different ways.
"Louie" in particular is interesting because I can relate to his character and dare I say it. Better and funnier the Seinfeld IMO.

So why is spending hours online everyday not boring like TV?

I know what does it for me and I suspect it's the same for a lot of people here.
The fact is you have to interact online... You read, absorb and make comments. Which means you have to use your brain
And It's like you finally have a voice. Maybe not a very load one but certainly much better than no voice at all which is what TV offers in abundance.

And that's it! TV is just one way. You get fed what "they" want you to see and that just bugs me no end.

[livi]

Same here as far as TV goes. Nowadays I only watch the news. My Marie who I happily got married to last weekend and is 11 years younger than me, call it "old fart TV habit".

[widebody911]

I rarely watch TV, and 98% of the time, when I do, it's via DVR

[Joe Bob]

IF I watch TV, it's off the DVR. The inane commercials make me wanna hurl. Fast forward and I'm cool.....I can still catch a glimpse of the drivel and that is bad enuff. That freaking Gecko and Flo, don't miss them.

[Tilikum Turbo]

Cable(shyte) TV...

FIRED ten years ago into banishment...not missed for a single moment.

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by Joe Bob

IF I watch TV, it's off the DVR. The inane commercials make me wanna hurl. Fast forward and I'm cool.....I can still catch a glimpse of the drivel and that is bad enuff. That freaking Gecko and Flo, don't miss them.

This! DVR three or four of our favorite shows, netflicks=two DVD/Blu-rays a month, redbox usually has all the latest movies if you don't mind waiting (OMG waiting!?!) a month or two to see them.

[Joe Bob]

If I ever saw Flo in person, I would beat her with a tire iron.

[sc_rufctr]

Originally Posted by livi

Same here as far as TV goes. Nowadays I only watch the news. My Marie who I happily got married to last weekend and is 11 years younger than me, call it "old fart TV habit".

Congrats Mr Fluffy. I wish you many years of married bliss.

but to break you new wife of her TV addiction I would recommend doing "other" activities together... if you get my meaning

[sc_rufctr]

Originally Posted by Joe Bob

If I ever saw Flo in person, I would beat her with a tire iron.

I had to Google her... yes, I'm already annoyed just looking at her.

and they ripped of Kermit!!!

[Texlexic]

I fired my cable company, too - at least, tv and phone. Built an antenna in about an hour with stuff I had in the garage, and threw down $35 on a Google Chromcast - anything I can see on my android tablet or Windows laptop goes to the 50 incher. At first, I missed some of the sports channels, but got over it. I highly recommend making the change.

[porsche4life]

I grew up with only OTA tv and didn't miss much. Had cable my first year in college and found it to be a waste. The only time I see it now is when I'm in a hotel, and half the time I get fed up with the stupid shows and turn it off anyways.

[Christien]

Originally Posted by sc_rufctr

Right now I'm watching "Louie" and "Game Of Thrones". Neither of these are exactly mainstream

Uhh, Game of Thrones is maybe the most popular show on TV right now...

But I definitely agree. I can't stand the commercials. Anything I watch is through netflix, downloaded or bought on DVD. We cut the cable years ago and don't regret it for a second.

[BlueSkyJaunte]

CenturyLink (phone co.) keeps trying to get me to switch from cable to their PrisonTV or whatever it is. After their spiel I ask them if it's cheaper than the rabbit ears I'm not even using.

Kill your TV.

[Baz]

I love watching TV.

But I'm very particular about what I watch.

And I use the MUTE button a LOT!

TV for me is a way of not having to interact. It's a way for my head to be lazy and not have to think.

I work my tail off and when I want to wind down and chill, TV is one way to accomplish that.

Participation in online forums is a way to connect and interact with others and is also a way to unwind.

Both serve their purposes, for me.

Just like using email, snail mail, fax, or telephone to communicate. They all serve a purpose.

[Evans, Marv]

Congrats Marcus! I don't think we heard much about it beforehand. We wish you the best. My TV participation is almost exclusively news and NCIS (not now because of summer repeats), and the news is 50% or more BBC and KPBS. During times I have commercial TV on, the mute button is my best friend. I'm wondering when they will find a way around that.

[gacook]

I've fired cable/satellite recently, too. It's fun watching the letters in the mail begging for our business...

My only worry is that I'll have the strength to make it through football season!

[herr_oberst]

Marcus, I wondered about the green hair! Must've been a helluva bachelor party!

Congratulations, fluffer!

As for TV, pulled the plug last summer, and don't miss anything.

Fun Fact! The latest season of "Longmire" is now available on Netflix. Each episode is exactly 43 minutes long. That means, if I were to watch it on network TV, I'd be subjugated to 17 minutes of commercials, if the networks had their way. More than 25% of the show is commercials. FTS.

[gacook]

Also, many of HBO's original series just got approved to be shown on Amazon Prime (free to Prime members). Unfortunately, Game of Thrones is not part of that deal, so I will continue to have to pay for each of those seasons...

[Embraer]

I haven't watched TV in probably 3 years. I have Netflix, Amazon Prime and Hulu...but I just have those for guests.

[Robert Coats]

TiVo. Best DVR out there.

Been a fan/user for years now. Would not watch without it. No commercials, works with either cable or antenna. Get one with the "lifetime" service, and pay once for unlimited service/programs listings. They make them with four built-in tuners now, so it can record 4 shows at once time. You can transfer programs to/from you computer.